VASCO: Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) Chairman I Jeyakumar claimed that the port authorities have already advised both the coal handling agencies operating from the port that directions issued by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) have to be strictly followed.
He said the issue of high pollution level in Vasco is due to some confusion while comparing data by the pollution control board.
“There is some misinterpretation in source data and ambient air quality data. GSPCB is collecting source data and is comparing the same with ambient standards. Source data should be compared with source standards and ambient data should be compared with ambient standards. On this we have sought a clarification from pollution control board and they then have written to central pollution control board for further clarification,” Jeyakumar said.
He added, “We have also written to MoEF to clarify this interpretation because this has been creating confusion. For example, monitoring equipment should be 25 meters from the periphery of the port, but if the monitoring equipment is inside the port when the cargo is handled and if they compare the standard of ambient then it is not correct as this should be considered as source data and not ambient data. We agree that for few days (one or two days) there was some increase in dust pollution data, but not throughout as mentioned in the report.”
Jeyakumar said MPT will install additional continuous ambient air quality monitoring equipment near T B Cunha Chowk which will give daily data on pollution. “In the meantime we have asked the coal handling agencies to take all precaution and mitigation measures. We are also planning to take some national agencies like TERI as consultants so that they can guide us,” Jeyakumar said.
